CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard rescue boatcrew assisted six adults and one child, 14, who were on an 18-foot recreational boat that was taking on water in the Calumet River near the I-90 overpass Monday evening.

They were all reportedly wearing lifejackets.

Search and rescue controllers at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, were contacted by the owner/operator of the boat at 8:58 p.m., reporting they were taking on water about a 1/2-mile north of mile marker 329 of the Calumet River.

The Sector Lake Michigan SAR controllers directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor boatcrew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small. Once on scene at 9:28 p.m., the RB-S crew discovered all passengers still onboard the vessel and without injuries. The crew transferred all passengers aboard the RB-S and towed the vessel to Crowley’s Yacht Club.

The Station Calumet Harbor boatcrew then remained on scene and helped the owner dewater his vessel.

The cause of the accident is unknown.

“We’re glad to see the boaters were cautious and were wearing lifejackets,” said Lt. j.g. Brian Dykens, Sector Lake Michigan public affairs officer. “If things had truly gone from bad to worse, and all the boaters entered the water, those lifejackets would have greatly contributed to their safety.”

The law states you must have a lifejacket for every person on board your vessel, but the Coast Guard suggests you go one step further and wear your lifejacket at all times when boating. It is much more difficult to locate, access, or don a lifejacket at the moment an accident occurs. Click here for more information on lifejackets.